Anthony Hargrove has found home as New Orleans Saints tackle
by Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
Thursday September 03, 2009, 11:45 PM

The New Orleans Saints' Anthony Hargrove, 6 feet 3, 295 pounds and very athletic, has proven to be disruptive as a defensive tackle and is quickly becoming a fan favorite with his passionate play and engaging personality.
Anthony Hargrove's football career began at quarterback.

It will end at defensive tackle.

And if things go like some New Orleans Saints officials think this season and in the future, it might one day include a Pro Bowl berth.

Yes, Hargrove, a man who six months ago wasn't even eligible to play in the NFL, is that good. In fact, he might just be the best playmaker on the Saints' defense.

"He's pretty good," Saints linebacker Scott Fujita said. "He's a high-motor guy and he's such a good athlete. When you combine those things, you're going to see him make big plays. He's disruptive."

Anyone who has watched Hargrove this preseason understands the man is not just going to contribute this season; he's going to make an impact.

On a night when most of the Saints' regulars relaxed during an ugly 10-7 exhibition loss to the Miami Dolphins, Hargrove hardly came off the field and basically was a one-man wrecking crew at his new home along the interior front. His five tackles led all Saints' defensive linemen, and he added a sack for a 10-yard loss.

"It was good to get all the work in," Hargrove said. "I was thankful the coaches kept me in there so long. After having the year off, I need the work, and it helps my conditioning."

When Hargrove signed with the Saints, it barely registered a blip on the Richter Scale. That's a testament to his anonymity as a prospect, thanks primarily to a yearlong suspension from the league for violating its banned substances policy.

So if hardcore Who Dats didn't know Hargrove, then he really was an obscure signing. But they certainly know who Hargrove is now.

In fact, Hargrove, an athletic 6 feet 3 and 295 pounds, is quickly becoming a fan favorite with his passionate play and engaging personality.

His presence has boosted the defensive line and provided much-needed playmaking ability to a unit beset by injuries and suspensions in recent years.

His Twitter handle -- SupaFreak69 -- is appropriate. The man weighs close to 300 pounds yet can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds and jump 39 inches vertically.

His freakish athletic ability isn't all that makes Hargrove special. He bolsters it with Tazmanian Devil tenaciousness.

His Twitter bio reads "Thanking GOD each day for the opportunity to battle each day," and he plays like it. Add Thursday night's stats to his previous numbers -- six tackles, one sack, two tackles for losses, two quarterback hurries and two passes defensed -- and there's production that more closely resembles a defensive end's than an interior tackle's.

That was the idea when defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and defensive line coach Bill Johnson switched Hargrove from end to tackle midway through training camp last month. Hargrove had flashed talent in short stints with the Rams and Bills. But he had worked exclusively at end in those days.

But the Saints saw something in Hargrove that others didn't when they watched him work this offseason. They saw a prototype three-technique defensive tackle, their version of Justin Tuck or Kevin Williams. Gregg Williams even compared him favorably to former Saints great La'Roi Glover earlier in camp.

The Saints were already deep in talent at end with Will Smith, Charles Grant, Bobby McCray, Paul Spicer and Jeff Charleston. The move to tackle made sense. And for a guy who played quarterback and defensive back at Port Charlotte (Fla.) High School and weakside end at Georgia Tech, the transition has been fairly seamless.

"I'm feeling good inside, and the coaches say I'm moving good there, so I'm happy," Hargrove said. "I'm all for doing anything I can to help the team. I get more comfortable every day."

The Saints have done their best to keep Hargrove under wraps this month. Their touts have come in whispers and hushed tones. But after next week, Hargrove will be a secret no longer.

Trust me, league scouts and personnel execs who watch film for a living already have No. 69 in their reports.

For his part, humble Hargrove said he is taking nothing for granted.

"I thank God every day for this opportunity," Hargrove said. "I was lying in my bed in my hotel room (Wednesday) night, looking out the window at all the buildings downtown and thinking about where I was a year ago at this time looking out the barred windows (of a detention/treatment center). I know I can't get too cocky or too arrogant.

"I love this team and the coaches. I just hope they have plans on keeping me around."

Trust me, Anthony. One of the 53 spots on the roster has your name on it.

-09-05-2009

rams#1

Re: Anthony Hargrove Has Found Home As New Orleans Saints Tackle

wow I'm super pissed now. why can't these guys be this good when we actualy have them? this blows

-09-05-2009

Goldenfleece

Re: Anthony Hargrove Has Found Home As New Orleans Saints Tackle

Please tell me this is some warped attempt at satire. Or is fate just mocking us now?

-09-05-2009

LifeLongRam

Re: Anthony Hargrove Has Found Home As New Orleans Saints Tackle

Just our luck another ex-ram DL who is playing well for another team, if it's not sub-par drafts it's stories like this........

-09-05-2009

r8rh8rmike

Re: Anthony Hargrove Has Found Home As New Orleans Saints Tackle

How many times did we see stories like this when Hargrove was a Ram? Every preseason, it was reported how strong he looked and that this was the year he was going to break out. Just a hunch, but it might be a little early for the Saints and their fans to be dancing down Bourbon Street over Hargrove.

-09-05-2009

RamsSB99

Re: Anthony Hargrove Has Found Home As New Orleans Saints Tackle

Quote:

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

How many times did we see stories like this when Hargrove was a Ram? Every preseason, it was reported how strong he looked and that this was the year he was going to break out. Just a hunch, but it might be a little early for the Saints and their fans to be dancing down Bourbon Street over Hargrove.

I agree there has always been a lot of hope around Hangover followed by a lot of disappointment. Saints fans might be drinking Bourbon and dancing down Bourbon Street right now over Hargrove but wait until the season starts. They may just wake up and realize they have a Hangover instead of a Hargrove.